Cheap microphone preamps

Jezz8me · #1 08-23-2009, 05:32 AM

I picked up a Behringer C-1 microphone, however it was not of the usb variety. I plan on using it for ameture home use. Can anyone reccomend a cheap microphone preamp i can connect to my computer. It does not need to be fantastic quality, i just want to be able to get an idea of how vox sounds recorded with my music.

I have a Xonar DX sound card if that helps at all.

I am thinkning of getting an M-Audio Audio Buddy but I am not sure if it will be compatible with my audio card

Kipaste · #2 08-24-2009, 09:50 AM

Well.. It will be compatible with your sound card. Sound comes out of the preamp and goes into the soundcard. Simple. And if I understood correctly from the brief google I did, your soundcard has asio drivers so the recordings actually can work. You'll need an XLR to 1/4 cable and a 1/4 to 1/8 adapter.

I wouldn't buy the audio buddy. It's not that cheap or good sounding and you don't need dual inputs anyway. And the price is way too high if you ask me. For 50 USD it could be a contender IMO..

So here are a few other possiblities in rising price order. Note that I'm just guessing the US prices, but I don't think I'm that far off in many cases.

-Art tube mp. Nothing spectacular and definately the cheapest option, but it will get the signal amplified. I'd rank this one somewhere near the audio buddy when it comes to sound quality. I'd guess you can buy one of these for around 35 USD.

-Behringer tube mic ultragain 200. The 100 series is pretty much the same as the art, but the 200 model is bit improved. I'd guess around 50 USD.

-Presonus tube pre. A pretty decent sounding preamp for the money. I'd guess around 130 USD. It's not great, but you can get away with it in home studio settings. This is the one I'd buy since I'd consider it to be the least to own in a home studio setting if you decide to go that way with your project.

But then again, price wise the behringer preamp could be a good match for your mic.

Jezz8me · #3 08-26-2009, 09:43 PM

Thank you. Price wise the Behringer sounds like a great idea. I think that is the one i will get.